Doing Play Therapy

Terry Kottman, PhD, NCC, RPT-S, LMHC, founded The Encouragement Zone, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where she provides play therapy training and supervision, life coaching, counseling, and “playshops” for women. Dr. Kottman developed Adlerian play therapy, an approach to working with children, families, and adults that combines the ideas and techniques of Individual Psychology and play therapy. She writes about play therapy and regularly presents workshops nationally and internationally. Dr. Kottman is a recipient of Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Association for Play Therapy and the Iowa Association for Play Therapy. Kristin K. Meany-Walen, PhD, LMHC, RPT-S, is Assistant Professor of Counseling at the University of North Texas. She was previously in private practice, where she worked with a variety of clients who reinforced her belief in the significance of play and creative expression. Dr. Meany-Walen regularly publishes and presents on play therapy with children and adolescents. She conducted the first Adlerian play therapy study, which was instrumental in Adlerian play therapy becoming recognized as an evidence-based treatment for reducing behavioral problems in children.

Prelude: Once Upon a Time
1. An Introduction to Play Therapy
Interlude 1: Show Up and Choose To Be Present
2. Pick a Theory, Any Theory
Interlude 2: Showing Interest
3. Broad Play Therapy Strategies
Interlude 3: Being Intentional with Your Interventions and Making "Stuff" Up
4. Building a Relationship
Interlude 4: Take a Breath
5. Exploring Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Dynamics
Interlude 5: Developing a Conceptualization of Your Clients
6. Helping Clients Gain Insight
Interlude 6: Language Choice
7. Helping Clients Make Changes in Play Therapy
Interlude 7: Giving Yourself Permission
8. Working with Parents, Teachers, and Families
Interlude 8: Avoiding Judgment
9. Challenging Situations in the Playroom
Interlude 9: Continuing the Journey
Appendix A. Theory and Play Therapy Resources
Appendix B. Children’s Books
Appendix C. Professional Information
References
Index